Moscow Authorities Reject Orlando Memorial March

June 24, 2016

Moscow authorities have rejected a request to hold a memorial march for the victims of the Orlando terrorist attack, the RBC news website reported Thursday.

The request was rejected on grounds that it was received less than 10 today before the event was due to be held on June 27. Organizers expected around 500 people to attend the rally in central Moscow to “express solidarity with the 49 victims of the tragedy.”

A petition has now been lodged to hold a new event on July 21 to mark 40 days since the attack, co-organizer Maria Baronova told RBC. Baranova, a member of the Open Russia human rights project, also said that the group was prepared to lower the number of participants to 100 people.

American citizen Omar Mateen open fire on at the crowd at Orlando LGBT nightclub Pulse on June 12. Before the attack, Mateen had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, a terrorist organization banned in Russia. Some 49 people died and 53 more were injured as a result of his actions.

Two Russian men were later detained as they attempted to light candles in support of the Orlando victims outside the US embassy.

The pair, who carried a poster with the words “Love wins,” were accused of holding an unauthorised rally, a violation that carries a fine of up to 30,000 rubles ($460).